Support means for hinged covers



June 7, 1960 R. J. LYONS 2,939,738

SUPPORT MEANS FOR HINGED COVERS Filed Feb. 15. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PI. 4 A

INVENTOR ROBERT J L YONS A ATTORNEYS June 7, 1960 R. J. LYONS 2,939,738

SUPPORT MEANS FOR HINGED COVERS Filed Feb. 15, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 4/ ROBERT J LYONS m Q MOQ A). ATTORNEYS Unite States Patent 2,939,138 SUPPORT MEANS FOR HINGED covERs Robert J. Lyons, Hamden, Conn., assignor to The Bilco Company, West Haven, Conn.

Filed Feb. 1'5, 1955, Ser. No. 488,385

2 Claims.- (Cl. 292-272) The present invention relates to hatch covers and it relates more particularly to hatch covers that are spring loaded toward open position and positively, but releasably, held in open position by means of a rigid prop.

Hatch structures are usually mounted horizontally or at least at an angle to the vertical, as in the case of roof scuttles for buildings, the heavy metal cover for the hatchway being hinged so that it swings upwardly to open position. Covers of this type are provided with support means which make them easier to open, those used heretofore being generally similar to the one shown in the patent to Lyons Jr. et a1. 2,603,819, in which lever arms are mounted on both sides of the cover with the lifting springs acting on the lever arms to help lift the cover and hold it in the desired position. The lever arms of those prior constructions are purposely connected to the cover at a point spaced some distance from the hinge, in order to provide adequate leverage to prevent the cover from accidentally closing. Furthermore, in such prior arrangements the springs and lever mechanism are stiff enough to hold the cover open without a positive prop. A highly advantageous feature of this type of support is that, since there is nothing positively locking the cover open, it can be closed with only one hand by simply pulling down on it against the force of the lifting springs.

In certain constructions, the force of the lifting springs is insufiicient to prevent the cover from accidentally swinging closed, so that some means must be provided to prop the cover in its open position. If conventional props are employed it is necessary for a person climbing down a ladder inside the hatch to use both hands in closing the cover, one to release the prop andthe other to pull the cover closed against the urge of the lifting springs. This makes it impossible for a person to hold onto the ladder or stair railing all the time he is climbing down through the hatch, as is necessary of course to avoid the danger of a bad fall.

It is, therefore, the object of the present invention to provide means for propping a hatch cover in its open position, while at the same time making it possible to disconnect the prop and pull the door closed with one hand, leaving the other hand free to grip the ladder or rail leading to the hatchway.

It have found it desirable to use a lifting mechanism which is quite different from the lever-mechanism generally used up to now in batch covers of the type here contemplated. Thus, in placeof the side levers and spring mechanism, such as that shown in the abovementioned patent to Lyons Jr., lifting springs are mounted close to the hinge of the cover, with one end of each spring seated on the frame of the hatchway and the other end exerting a lifting force against the cover just above the hinge. While with this type of lifting assembly the force of the springs can be adjusted so as to just counterbalance the weight of the cover, permitting the cover to be lifted easily, the leverage of the springs onthe cover is insuflicient for the springs to hold the 2,939,738 Patented June 7, 196Q 2 cover in open position when the wind or some other outside force exerts pressure on it, so that the cover could close accidentally. It is accordingly necessary, where such lifting assemblies are used in place of the conventional side lever-mechanism, to provide some means for positively propping the cover open.

A difiiculty, however, arises in providing such prop due to the fact that by using any of the conventional supporting means which are capable of positively holding a cover open against accidental closure, it becomes necessary for the person closing the cover to use one hand to unlock the prop and the other to pull the cover closed. This, therefore, is a serious disadvantage of the so-called hinge type of lifting mechanism and is in fact the primary reason why up to now it has been felt necessary by some manufacturers to use the side lever lifting mechanism, which is capable of holding the cover open without positively locking it in place.

I have now discovered a unique, yet simple, solution to the problem outlined above, whereby the hatchcover can be locked open by means of a prop and still be closed with just one hand in order to leave the other free for safety sake in descending a steep ladder ordinarily used in connection with structures of this kind. My invention, therefore, resides in the provision of a rod for propping the cover open, such rod or cover-prop being pivoted at one endto the frame of the hatchway and slidably mounted adjacent its opposite end on the cover by means of a guide-plate having a slot in which the end of the rod is guided, as the cover is swung open or closed. A, locking depression is cut laterally in 'the slot of the guide-plate at a point where the end of the rod is located when the cover is at the desired open position, the depression being so formed that the rod will invariably become engaged in it ifthe cover tends to swing closed from its open position. This positively prevents the cover from closing of its own accord and also prevents its being closed by any force, such as might be exerted by the wind, acting directlyon the cover. r

In order to close the cover, I have provided a closing handle on the cover-prop adjacent the end that is connected to the cover, so that by grasping this handle and pulling steadily downward on it, the prop is moved out of engagement with the locking depression in the guideslot and slides along the guide-slot as the cover is pulled. closed by means of the closing handle. Consequently, in; one operation, the. cover-prop is unlocked so that the cover is permitted to swing closed, and a force is exerted on the cover which swings it closed. It will therefore be readily apparent from the foregoing and from the specific disclosure hereinaftenthat even though the prop positively locks the cover open, the-cover can be easily closed with but one hand by simply pulling steadily downward on the closing handle provided on the prop.

In addition to the above and foregoing objects of the invention, numerous other advantages in the, use of the novel supporting means for hinged covers will become readily and fully apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: i a V a 1 Figure l is a View in plan partly broken away showing; a hatchway arranged with a hinged cover according to the present invention; i a I;

Figure 2 is a section along line 2-2, in Figure 1, show-,;

ing the cover closed; and

trated in the drawings consists of a pair of rectangular side walls 10, a rectangular rear wall .11 and a rectangular front wall 12. For purposes of fastening the frame to any suitable structure, a flange 13 extends around the perimeter of the frame along its lower edge. Hinged to the top edge of the rear Wall 11 is a cover 14 adapted to close the opening defined by the upper edges of the side 'walls 10, the rear wall 11 and the front wall 12. The two hinges for the cover 14 are generally designated by the numeral 15 in the drawings and may be constituted, as for example, as bar-iron hinges. It will be appreciated that any other suitable type hinges may be substituted for this connection. The free end of the cover 14 is suitably provided with any type lock assembly, gen erally indicated in the drawings by the numeral 16, for cooperation with the upper edge of the front wall 112 which, as will be evident from the drawings, is likewise suitably-arranged in a fashion to accommodate the latch 16 on the free end of the cover 14. It will be appreciated that any type 'oflatch may be utilized to maintain the cover in closed position, but for reasons which will become apparent hereinafter it is desirable to providea spring latch which will automatically engage to hold the cover closed. An important consideration in this respect, however, is that the latch should preferably be capable of being manually released from both sides of the cover 14. Such a latch is shown in the drawings.

Since the frame for the hatchway shown in the drawings is merely for the purpose of illustrating an embodiment of the invention, other structural details of the framenot essential "to an understanding of the invention are omitted.

The novel supporting means of the present invention includes a plurality of spring lifting assemblies generally designated .in the drawings by the numeral 17, Since each spring lifting assembly is identical with all others, it will suffice for an understanding of the present invention to describe only one. Each spring lifting assembly '17 is composed of a pair of telescoping sleeves 18 and 19 with the lower sleeve 19 slidably received within the upper sleeve 18. Thus sleeve 19 is of slightly smaller diameter. The lower closed end of sleeve 19 is mounted on a suitable bracket 20 attached to the inside surface of the rear wall 11. The upper closed end of the sleeve 18 is fashioned with an ear 21 which is pivotally connected to a bracket 22 fixed, as for example, by being bolted to the inside surface of the cover 14 preferably adjacent the hinged edge of the cover. The pivotal connection between the ear 21 and the bracket '22 is 'generally designated by the numeral 23 and may take any convenient form. Housed within the telescoping sleeves 18 and 19 is a spring 24 stressed to bias the two sleeves 18 and .19 apart. Thus the spring 24 exerts a biasing force through the ear 21, "pivotal connection '23, and bracketi22 .tendingt'o swing the cover 14 about its hinges 15'to an open position. "The spring lifting assemblies 17 are located along the back edge of the cover.14 and, as will be evident, any desired number of these spring lifting assemblies may be employed to assist in the opening of the cover 14. For purposes of illustration, five such spring lifting assemblies are provided and, as will be noted, the location of the spring lifting assembly is not at all restn'ctedto theside marginal edges of the cover 14. but they may be positioned to contact the cover 14 at any point between its side edges.

Notwithstanding the fact that a plurality of spring lifting assemblies are employed, they will not in any way obstruct the free opening space of the hatchway since they are located in very closeproxirnity to the rear wall 11. In addition, the telescoping arrangement of the spring lifting assembly provides a very desirable shield for thespring 24, thereby removing spring 24 as a source ofpossible "danger sinceit is, no longer exposed. Since any number-of spring lifting assemblies may be used, it is possible to obtain with great accuracy a desired biasing of the cover 14. Thus, the force exerted by the lifting assemblies can be balanced with the weight of the cover so that the cover will remain in almost any position at which it is placed, assuming 'of course that it is not blown by the wind or some other external force exerted again-st it. incident to this, it is also possible to use smaller springs and/ or a greater number of spring lifting assemblies in place of extremely large springs only positioned at the marginal side portions of the cover 14. As will be further evident the novel improved supporting means for the hinged cover also permits free side access to the hatchway.

Besides the spring lifting assemblies 17 previously described, there is additionally provided a slide or guide plate 25 fastened to one marginal side edge of the cover 14 on its inside surface. This slide may conveniently be L-shaped in cross-section thereby affording a flange which may be fastened to the inside surface of the cover 14. The-slide 25 defines along slot 2.6jwhich terminates at its end nearest the hinged end of cover 14 in a depression 27. Cooperating with the slide 25 is a cover-prop or lever or link'28 which is pivotally connected at one end 29 to the inside of oneside Wall 10 through the agency-of bracket 35 and a pivot pin. The other end of the link 28 is received through the slot 26 in slide 25 and is fashioned with three right angle bends defining a crank-like configuration. A short section 30 integral with the long straight portion of the link 28 is the section of the link which physically engages with the slide '25. Offset frorn section '30 but substantially parallel thereto is section 31 which is, in effect, the free end of the link 28. The section '31 is spaced from the inside surface of the cover 14, the slide 25 and the section 3%) through the agency of the intermediate section 32 of .the crank-like configuration. Hence, the section 31 is in a convenient position'to serve or function as an operating handle for the link 28. The-sections 30, 31 and 32 all lie, aswill be evident, in a "common plane.

When the cover 14 is in open position the section 30 of link 28 will be located attheIlower end of slot 26 but not fully received in the depression 27. Any movement of cover 14 toward closing will result in section 30 being fully received in depression '27 and thus the arrangement described will effectively function to ensure that the cover 14 will not close accidentally. In order to close-the cover 14, it is only necessary to grasp the handle 31 and .to pull the section 30 of link 28 clear of depression '27 and into line with the slot '26. Thereafter, it is necessary .to apply a positive force to'the cover 14 'in a,d'irection.opposite'tothe "forces exerted on the cover14lby thespr ing lifting assemblies '17 and with a magnitude sufficient to overcome the biasing forces of the spring lifting assemblies 17. If the lifting assemblies are properly balanced 'with the weight of the cover, however, the force required to close'the cover 14"is relatively light. As the cover 14 is closed, the section 30 of the link 28 will slide in slot 26 and the arrangement will no longer prevent closure. To maintain the cover fully closed, it isnecessaryto rely upon the latch 16 at the free end of the .cover 14and along the upper edge of the front walli1'2.

The'cover, as is apparent from the foregoing, maybe readily closed from within thehatchway by .simplypgrasping the handle 31 and pulling it in a'directionperpen dicular to the plane of cover '14. This'releases the sec tion 30 of link 28 from the depression 27' in slide .25 and at the sametime starts to swing the cover .to its closed position. Continued pull on thehandle .31'iby a person climbing down a ladder orstairs within the hatchway will close the cover completely and latch it closed if,

asis desirable in this instance, latch 1610f thespring loaded type is provided. Thus, the'cover may be easily closed from Within by only one hand. :Itis .equallyas easy 'to close the cover from the outside by simply dis lodging the covenprop from the depression 27 andswinging the cover down slightly so that the section 30 ofu thei prop travels up the slot 26 in the slide 25. The handle 31 may then be released and pressure applied to the outside of the cover to close and latch it in place. This too can be accomplished with only one hand.

The cover 14 is shown in the drawings as opening to an angle of approximately 70. There are some instances, however, when it is most desirable to open the cover 14 a full 90". In order that this be easily and readily accomplished, it is only necessary to lengthen the slide 25 by extending its end nearest to the hinged end of the cover 14 or moving the whole slide 25 inwardly toward the hinge a distance sufiicient to accomplish this purpose.

Although the present invention has been shown and described with reference to a single preferred embodiment, nevertheless, changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art are within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the invention. For instance, it is possible to use the above described lifting arrangement or support means for double leaf doors, such as are commonly provided for cellarway entrances and the like. In such cases two covers are hinged at opposite sides of the opening, and the free edges of the covers meet centrally of the opening when the doors are closed. Lifting means according to the present invention would be aptly suited in such an application because the telescoping spring assemblies would not extend to any material degree into the free opening of the passageway, particularly when the covers are open. Thus, as has been clearly shown hereinabove, the lifting assemblies lie virtually parallel with and close to the side wall of the frame where they are out of the way.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hatch structure comprising a frame, a cover member of heavy construction hinged to said frame along one edge thereof to cause said cover member to swing by gravity toward closed position relative to said frame when said structure is in its installed position, and counterbalance means acting on said cover member urging the latter to a normally open position against the closing force applied by gravity; the improvement which comprises a one-hand operated combined safety latch and closing means for automatically locking the cover member against accidental closing and, alternatively, for manually closing the member against said counterbalance means, said combined means comprising a lever pivotally connected at one of its ends to said frame at one side thereof and having an offset portion at its other end, a guide plate secured on the inside of said cover along said one side of said frame, said guide plate having a slot formed therein which extends longitudinally of said one side to provide inner and outer guide edges relative to said cover, said offset lever portion having a bearing portion engaged in and confined for longitudinal movement along said slot, said slot having a detent notch in the inner edge thereof disposed toward that end of the slot nearest the hinged edge of said cover, said bearing portion of said lever, in the open position of said cover, being disposed at the end of said slot nearest the hinged edge of the cover and engaged by said inner slot edge and detent notch therein whenever a closing force is applied directly to said cover member, a handle rigidly connected to said lever and extending transversely thereof parallel to said cover member a distance sufficient to provide a one-hand operating grip for said lever for manually moving said bearing portion out of said notch and into hearing contact with the outer edge of said slot to apply a closing force through said lever to said guide plate and cover member.

2. A hatch structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said slot is formed completely through said plate, and said handle constitutes an extension of said offset portion of said lever which projects through said slot.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 363,680 Reinisch May 24, 1887 688,750 Stake Dec. 10, 1901 790,483 Demartini May 23, 1905 1,118,690 Slater Nov. 24, 1914 1,700,941 Kurowski Feb. 5, 1929 1,755,063 Holden Apr. 15, 1930 2,311,686 Olson Feb. 23, 1943 2,582,635 Kipple Ian. 15, 1952 2,691,463 De Santis et al. Oct. 12, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,122 Switzerland Sept. 14, 1908 773,183 France Aug. 27, 1934 

